Device for permanently extending elongate body parts

ABSTRACT

A stretching device for permanently extending elongate body parts, comprising stretch rods coupled to a support ring with fixing means which are retained on the distal end thereof. The fixing means consists of a fully or partially elastic, substantially cylindrical component which surrounds the body part and is provided with retaining clips on the outer edge which engage with the stretch rods and which are embodied in the form of slotted hollow cylinders provided with a stop plate. The fixing part is used to fix the body part in a secure and careful manner and can be easily joined to or removed from the stretch rod without overstretching.

The invention relates to a device for permanently extending elongatebody parts, particularly the penis, comprising a support ring, at leastone stretching rod coupled to the support ring and spring-mounted inaxial direction that can gradually be adjusted in length, and fixingmeans retained on the distal end of the stretching rod.

Such stretching devices that can help to achieve a permanent expansionof specific body parts such as the penis based on continuouslystretching the tissue by applying a stretching force and without theneed for surgical intervention are known. For example, DE 196 18 351 A1describes a device for penis expansion comprising telescopically guidedstretching rods that can be locked at the required length. The fixingmeans on the distal end of the stretching rod is a receiving shell witha support strap that can be set at variable perimeters. This device hasa disadvantage in that the stretching force is neither gradual nor canits increase be fine-metered and in that the strap-type fixing of thepenis poses risks of injury from using the device.

In another embodiment of a penis expansion device according to DE 295 21655 U1, the stretching rod is formed by two tapped bushes connected by athreaded rod. This makes fine-metering of the stretching force or thelength of the stretching rods possible. In addition, the stretching rodscan be pivoted and are spring-mounted in the support ring. The fixingmeans is a wide strap that surrounds the penis and has two cylindricalpockets spaced to receive the stretching rods. In addition to the riskof injury the strap-type fixing poses, putting on the device isdifficult and requires considerable dexterity.

Yet another known stretching device features two parallel threaded rodscoupled to the support ring each of which is screwed into a tappedadjustment bush. A spring cover with an internal spring is mounted onthe adjustment bush and can be moved telescopically against the springaction. The spring covers can be extended using extension rods. Thefixing means for the distal end of the penis is a receiving shell withlateral bushes for plug-in connection of the free ends of the springcovers or extension rods and an elastic fastening strap whose ends canbe locked at variable positions in the receiving shell. This device hasthe disadvantages of requiring a high degree of dexterity and can resultin injury due to the elastic fastening strap.

It is the problem of the invention to design a device of the typementioned above in such a way that simple, convenient, and painlesshandling of the expansion device is ensured when putting the device onand during its permanent use.

This problem is solved according to the invention by the devicecomprising the characteristics described in claim 1. The dependentclaims disclose further characteristics and advantageous embodiments ofthe invention.

One important characteristic of the invention is that the fixing meansis designed as a preformed cylindrical element that elasticallyencompasses the respective body part in part or fully. The body part isflexibly supported in stretched condition in a large area around itsentire perimeter. High user comfort is ensured due to large-area elasticpressure. Risk of injury by pinching is considerably reduced due to theapproximately cylindrical design.

According to another important characteristic of the invention,retaining clips that can be locked into the side of the stretching rodand, in a preferred embodiment, flexibly encompass its perimeter aremounted to the perimeter of the fixing means. This means that the fixingmeans can be conveniently attached to the penis and only has to beinterlocked on the stretching rods with the retaining clip. Thissimplifies application of the expansion device considerably without therisk of pinching or overstretching the body part. In addition, thestretching device can be temporarily released and re-attached quickly.

According to another important characteristic of the invention, theretaining clips are mounted to the upper rim of the fixing means whenviewed in stretching direction, which makes it possible to accommodateshorter body parts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fixing means encompasses a rigidreceiving shell to which retaining clips are formed and a stretchingelement comprising a domed flexible support part and stretching strapsrunning from its sides that can be locked into slots of the receivingshell.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the receiving shell isalso made of a flexible material, or the receiving shell and/or thestretching element have a flexible air-cushion design. The substantiallycylindrical fixing means preferably consists of two linked shells withan inflatable air-cushion ring or an elastic material covering theirinner surfaces and a lock that closes the shells at variable widths. Inthis way, the respective body part can be placed and fixed fast andgently in the fixing means as well as released easily and quickly, ifrequired.

In a preferred embodiment, the air cushion ring can be inflated manuallyor with a compressed air cartridge. A manual pump may be integrated inthe fixing means.

As a further improvement of the invention, the fixing means can bedesigned as a one-piece cylindrical inflatable component with retainingclips formed onto its outer perimeter.

An embodiment of the invention is explained in greater detail below withreference to the figures. Wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of the device according to theinvention for permanent penis expansion, and

FIG. 2 shows a perspective rear view of the device according to FIG. 1in assembled condition.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the receiving shellwith retaining clips offset towards the top in stretching direction andextending beyond the receiving shell;

FIG. 4 shows a view of a cylindrical folding fixing means with aircushioned inner surfaces and offset retaining clips, and

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the fixing means according to claim 4 with anelastic foam lining.

As is visible in the figure, the device comprises a support ring 1 forproviding support on the user's body, two parallel pivoted stretchingrods 2 that can be extended gradually and are flexible in axialdirection, and a detachable fixing means 3 at the distal ends of the twostretching rods 2 for gripping and fixing the penis in the glans region.Two articulated receptacles 4 for receiving a jointed piece 5 that canbe pivoted around a horizontal axis are formed on opposite sides ontothe front surface of the support ring 1. The rear of the support ring 1is an even closed surface with a rounded transition into the frontsurface. The stretching rod 2 consists of a threaded rod 6 that isconnected to the joint piece 5, an adjustment bush 7 that can beadjusted in axial direction as it is connected to the stretching rod 2via a female thread, a spring cover 8 that is telescopically arranged onthe adjustment bush 7 and spring-loaded towards the distal end of thestretching rod 2, and one or several extension rods 9. The peripheralsurface of the adjustment bush 7 comprises markings 7 a that indicatethe size of the tensile force applied by the spring cover 8 inaccordance with the position of said spring cover 8 on the adjustmentbush 7. The threaded rod 6 comprises a stop piece 10 that can be screwedonto its end that prevents the adjustment bush 7 from unintentionalrelease from the threaded rod 6 during extension. The spring cover 8that is held when pulled out by a stop piece 11 screwed to the front ofthe adjustment bush 7 and closed by a locking adapter 12, contains aspring 13 that presses the spring cover 8 toward the distal end of thestretching rod 2. The locking adapter 12 can be screwed onto extensionrod 9. The two-part fixing means 3 of the embodiment shown consists of asubstantially rigid receiving shell 14 that has a concave shape in thesupport surface area and retaining clips 15 formed onto its sides thatcomprise a cylindrical plug-in part 16. The upper rim of the receivingshell 14 is bent towards the rear of the receiving shell. The receivingshell 14 can be attached from the side to the stretching rods 2 usingthe retaining clips 15 that have the form of a cylinder slotted inlongitudinal direction with flexible cheeks 15 a, while the plug-in part16 allows provides locking in longitudinal direction. The receivingshell 14 comprises slots 17. The second part of the fixing means 3consists of a rubber-elastic fastening element 18 comprising a flexiblesupporting part 18a that is domed according to the shape of a penis andhas very rounded edges, two fastening straps 18 b with latches 18 cformed onto them at a spacing for locking the fastening straps 18 b inthe slots 17 of the receiving shell 14, and two shackles 18 d acting inopposite direction of the fastening straps 18 b for releasing thefastening element 18 and limiting the tension forces. The user canconveniently put on the fixing means designed in this way so thatinjuries or painful pinching are excluded. Painless fastening is mainlypromoted by the flexible and the preformed and rounded design of thesupporting part 18 a. The shackles 18 d prevent application of too muchtension force and facilitate fast and convenient release of thefastening element 18. After putting on the fixing means 3, the retainingclips 15 are locked sideways into the stretching rods 2 that were put onbefore and are supported against the body using the support ring 1. Thecylindrical plug-in part 16 provides security in addition to laterallocking. An upper limiting plate on the retaining clip 15 is sufficientto prevent the fixing means 3 from slipping down.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the retai8ningclips 15 are formed onto the upper rim of the receiving shell 14. Thismakes it possible, after putting on the fixing means, to connect theretaining clips 15 and the stretching rods without overstretching even avery short penis. The retaining clips that protrude upwards at the sametime protect the upper exposed part of the penis. The slots 17 in thereceiving shell 14 can be of oblong design in order to vary theattachment of the elastic fastening element 18 in the stretchingdirection.

According to another embodiment not shown in the figure, the fasteningelement 18 can be designed as a flexible and inflatable strap orhose-type hollow body whose ends are connected to the receiving shell 14or detachably held thereon. After putting on the fixing means 3 of suchdesign with the inflatable fastening element in uninflated condition,air is blown into the inflatable fastening element using an externalpump or a pump integrated in the fixing means or a compressed aircartridge to gently fasten the penis without any risk of pinching. In animprovement of this embodiment, the receiving shell 14 can be aninflatable hollow body or the entire fixing means 3 can be designed as adouble-walled cylindrical hollow body with diametrically opposedretaining clips 15 on its outer wall. The outer wall can be rigid andthe inner wall flexible. Both walls can be flexible as well. Afterinflating the double-walled cylindrical fixing means with at least aflexible inner wall, the inner diameter is reduced and the inner wallevenly and flexibly tightens along the entire perimeter of the penis. Inyet another variant not shown in the figure, an elastic bulgesurrounding the fixing means fully or partially can be attached to thedistal rim of the respective fixing means to optimize fastening in axialdirection.

A preferred embodiment of a substantially circular, cylindrical fixingmeans 3 that fully and flexibly surrounds the penis, with retainingclips 15 offset in stretching direction, is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Thefixing means 3 in this embodiment consists of two shells 23 a, 23 bconnected by a hinge 20 and a lock 21. In the embodiment according toFIG. 4, an inflatable air cushion ring 24 split in the area of the lock21 and equipped with valves 19 on its outside to supply and dischargeair is attached to the inner surfaces of shells 23 a, 23 b. According tothe variant shown in FIG. 5, an elastic gel or foam lining 22 is appliedto the inner surfaces of the two rigid shells 23 a, 23 b and broken inthe lock section so that the upper shell 23 a can completely be swiveledaway from the lower shell 23 b. Shells 23 a, 23 b differ in size, andthe retaining clips 15 are attached at an upward offset in stretchingdirection to the bigger shell 23 b. The lock 21 can be of an adjustabledesign such as a locking, snap fastener, or velcro system so that theinner perimeter of the fixing means can be adjusted to the perimeter ofthe penis, achieving safe and gentle fastening. The air cushion ring 24can be inflated using an external electric or manual air pump, acompressed air cartridge, or respiratory air.

List of Reference Symbols

1 Support ring

2 Stretching rod

3 Fixing means

4 Joint receptacle

5 Joint piece

6 Threaded rod

7 Adjustment bush

7 a Marking

8 Spring cover

9 Extension rod

10 Stop piece

11 Stop piece

12 Locking adapter

13 Pressure spring

14 Receiving shell

15 Retaining clip

15 a Flexible cheeks

16 Stop piece/cylindr. plug-in part

17 Slots

18 Elastic fastening element

18 a Flexible domed support part

18 b Fastening straps

18 c Latches

18 d Shackles

19 Inlet/outlet valve

20 Hinge

21 Lock

22 Elastic foam/gel

23 a Small shell

23 b Big shell

24 Air cushion ring

1. A device for permanently extending elongate body parts, particularlythe penis, comprising a support ring, at least one stretching rodcoupled to the proximal end of the support ring and spring-mounted inaxial direction that can gradually be adjusted in length, and fixingmeans retained on the distal end of the stretching rod(s), wherein thefixing means as a substantially cylindrical preformed component thatfully or partially and flexibly surrounds the respective body part isprovided with at least one retaining clip running in longitudinaldirection on the outer rim of the fixing means and locking sideways intothe stretch rod(s) after putting on the fixing means.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one retaining clip isdesigned as a continuously slotted cylinder with flexible cheeks and adistal stop plate.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein theretaining clips extend from the distal section of the fixing means instretching direction and beyond its distal end.
 4. The device accordingto claim 1, wherein the fixing means consists of a concave receivingshell with retaining clips extending from its sides at the distal endand an elastic fastening element.
 5. The device according to claim 4,wherein the fastening element consists of a domed preformed flexiblesupport part from the ends of which extend elastic fastening straps, theouter surfaces of said fastening straps comprising latches for lockingthe fastening straps into slots of the receiving shell and shackles forreleasing the fastening straps and for limiting tension forces.
 6. Thedevice according to claim 5, wherein the latches and slots have roundededges.
 7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of thedomed support part is multiple times greater than that of the elasticfastening straps.
 8. The device according to claim 5, wherein thefastening element can be adjusted in longitudinal direction by variablyfixing it to the receiving shell, the length of the slots exceeding thewidth of the fastening strap.
 9. The device according to claim 1,wherein the cylindrical fixing means consists of two shells connected bya hinge and a lock and forming a cylinder, and in that a highly elasticmaterial is applied to the inner surfaces of said shells.
 10. The deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein said highly elastic material is aninflatable air cushion ring that is split in the section of the lock.11. The device according to claim 10, wherein an inlet and outlet valveis located in the wall of the air cushion ring and in that theinflatable part is inflated using an external pump or compressed aircartridge or a manual pump or compressed air cartridge integrated in thefixing means.
 12. The device according to claim 9, wherein said highlyelastic material is a foam or gel.
 13. The device according to claim 9,wherein the two shells differ in size and in that the retaining clipsare attached to the bigger shell.
 14. The device according to claim 9,wherein the lock can be adjusted for setting the size of the innerdiameter formed by the two shells.
 15. The device according to claim 14,wherein the adjustable lock is a locking, snap fastener, or velcrosystem.
 16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means isdesigned as a one-piece cylindrical, double-walled, inflatable componentwith a flexible inner wall and a flexible or rigid outer wall and aretaining clip mounted to the outer wall, said component comprising aninlet and outlet valve for inflating and deflating air.
 17. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the stretching rods are attached to thesupport ring using a ball joint and in that the retaining clips arecoupled to the fixing means.
 18. The device according to claim 1,wherein the stretching rod for elastic change in length consists of athreaded rod, an adjustment bush screwed to it, and a spring-mountedspring cover telescopically encompasses the adjustment bush, and in thatthe distal end of the threaded rod comprises a stop piece to preventcomplete unscrewing of the adjustment bush.
 19. The device according toclaim 18, wherein markings are provided around the perimeter of theadjustment bush to indicate the tensile force generated by the springcover.
 20. The device according to claim 18, wherein the stretching rodcan be combined of multiple extension rods screwed together at variouslengths.